TL;DR: Mohan Bhagwatâs recent Dussehra speech sparked debate as the RSS chief talked about communal harmony while also warning against "wokeism" and the supposed threats to Hinduism. The speech left many questioning the Sangh's sincerity, given its past stance on Sanatana Dharma and Hindu Rashtra. Is this a true ideological shift or just political rebranding ahead of future elections? đ§
Can the Sangh Parivar Talk About Communal Harmony? đ¤
The RSS, known for its strong advocacy of a Hindu Rashtra and its emphasis on Sanatana Dharma, now talking about communal harmony raises a lot of eyebrows. đ§ For years, the Sangh Parivar has been seen as the flagbearer of Brahminical Hinduism, promoting a Hindu-first narrative. So, when Bhagwat speaks about reaching out to Dalits and social harmony, it's hard not to see this as a move motivated by politics rather than a genuine change in ideology. đŹ
Historically, the RSS has been associated with promoting upper-caste dominance, and its outreach efforts to Dalit communities come off as strategic rather than authentic. The timing is also suspectâafter barely scraping through the last Parliamentary election, the BJP realized it needs to expand its voter base by building alliances and shifting its narrative. But are they really softening their stance, or is this just political packaging to win votes? đ
Hinduism in Danger: Still Stoking Communal Rhetoric? đ¨
In the same speech, Bhagwat emphasized that Hinduism is in danger, pointing to "wokeism" as a new threat. The idea that Hinduismâa religion with over 1 billion followersâis somehow endangered feels like an extension of the communal rhetoric we've seen in the past. ⥠While they speak about harmony, they still fan the flames of fear by suggesting that Hinduism is under attack.
This contradiction suggests that while the Sangh Parivar might be putting up an appearance of inclusivity and tolerance, the underlying communal tones havenât been entirely abandoned. The Hinduism is under threat narrative allows them to maintain their base, particularly among hardline Hindu supporters, while attempting to appeal to a broader audience. đŻ
MediaFx Opinion: A Political Tightrope Walk đ§ đŞ
At MediaFx, we believe the RSS and BJP are trying to walk a fine line between maintaining their core Hindutva ideology and expanding their voter base by appearing more inclusive. This shift in rhetoric seems more political than a genuine change of heart. đ§ By continuing to play the Hinduism-in-danger card, they're not fully letting go of their communal narrative, and this creates doubt about their true intentions.
Whether this approach will work is yet to be seen. Voters might see through the political game, or they might appreciate the attempt at inclusivity. Either way, the Sangh Parivarâs balancing act will be an interesting one to watch in the lead-up to future elections. đ
What do you think? Is this a genuine change or just political theater? Drop your thoughts below! đđŹ
